[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 88 (Thursday, May 20, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3261-S3263]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SA 1831. Ms. HASSAN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to
amendment SA 1502 proposed by Mr. Schumer to the bill S. 1260, to
establish a new Directorate for Technology and
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Innovation in the National Science Foundation, to establish a regional
technology hub program, to require a strategy and report on economic
security, science, research, innovation, manufacturing, and job
creation, to establish a critical supply chain resiliency program, and
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the appropriate place, insert the following:
SEC. __. CYBERSECURITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SECURITY
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Subtitle A of title XXII of the Homeland
Security Act (6 U.S.C. 651 et seq.), as amended by section 2,
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 2219. APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Area career and technical education school.--The term
`area career and technical education school' has the meaning
given the term in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and
Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302).
``(2) Community college.--The term `community college'
means a public institution of higher education at which the
highest degree that is predominantly awarded to students is
an associate's degree, including--
``(A) a 2-year Tribal College or and University, as defined
in section 316 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1059c); and
``(B) a public 2-year State institution of higher
education.
``(3) Cybersecurity work roles.--The term `cybersecurity
work roles' means the work roles outlined in the National
Initiative for Cybersecurity Education Cybersecurity
Workforce Framework (NIST Special Publication 800-181), or
any successor framework.
``(4) Education and training provider.--The term `education
and training provider' means--
``(A) an area career and technical education school;
``(B) an early college high school;
``(C) an educational service agency;
``(D) a high school;
``(E) a local educational agency or State educational
agency;
``(F) a Tribal educational agency, Tribally controlled
college or university, or Tribally controlled postsecondary
career and technical institution;
``(G) a postsecondary educational institution;
``(H) a minority-serving institution;
``(I) a provider of adult education and literacy activities
under the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (29 U.S.C.
3271 et seq.);
``(J) a local agency administering plans under title I of
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 720 et seq.), other
than section 112 or part C of that title (29 U.S.C. 732,
741);
``(K) a related instruction provider, including a qualified
intermediary acting as a related instruction provider as
approved by a registration agency;
``(L) a Job Corps center, as defined in section 142 of the
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3192); or
``(M) a consortium of entities described in any of
subparagraphs (A) through (L).
``(5) Eligible entity.--
``(A) In general.--The term `eligible entity' means--
``(i) a program sponsor;
``(ii) a State workforce development board or State
workforce agency, or a local workforce development board or
local workforce development agency;
``(iii) an education and training provider;
``(iv) if the applicant is in a State with a State
apprenticeship agency, such State apprenticeship agency;
``(v) an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization;
``(vi) an industry or sector partnership, a group of
employers, a trade association, or a professional association
that sponsors or participates in a program under the national
apprenticeship system;
``(vii) a Governor of a State;
``(viii) a labor organization or joint labor-management
organization; or
``(ix) a qualified intermediary.
``(B) Sponsor requirement.--Not fewer than 1 entity
described in subparagraph (A) shall be the sponsor of a
program under the national apprenticeship system.
``(6) Institution of higher education.--The term
`institution of higher education' has the meaning given the
term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001).
``(7) Local educational agency; secondary school.--The
terms `local educational agency' and `secondary school' have
the meanings given those terms in section 8101 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
7801).
``(8) Local workforce development board.--The term `local
workforce development board' has the meaning given the term
`local board' in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
``(9) Nonprofit organization.--The term `nonprofit
organization' means an organization that is described in
section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and
exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code.
``(10) Provider of adult education.--The term `provider of
adult education' has the meaning given the term `eligible
provider' in section 203 of the Adult Education and Family
Literacy Act (29 U.S.C. 3272).
``(11) Related instruction.--The term `related instruction'
means an organized and systematic form of instruction
designed to provide an individual in an apprenticeship
program with the knowledge of the technical subjects related
to the intended occupation of the individual after completion
of the program.
``(12) Sponsor.--The term `sponsor' means any person,
association, committee, or organization operating an
apprenticeship program and in whose name the program is, or
is to be, registered or approved.
``(13) State apprenticeship agency.--The term `State
apprenticeship agency' has the meaning given the term in
section 29.2 of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, or any
corresponding similar regulation or ruling.
``(14) State workforce development board.--The term `State
workforce development board' has the meaning given the term
`State board' in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
``(15) WIOA terms.--The terms `career planning',
`community-based organization', `economic development
agency', `industry or sector partnership', `on-the-job
training', `recognized postsecondary credential', and
`workplace learning advisor' have the meanings given those
terms in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
``(16) Qualified intermediary.--
``(A) In general.--The term `qualified intermediary' means
an entity that demonstrates expertise in building,
connecting, sustaining, and measuring the performance of
partnerships described in subparagraph (B) and serves program
participants and employers by--
``(i) connecting employers to programs under the national
apprenticeship system;
``(ii) assisting in the design and implementation of such
programs, including curriculum development and delivery for
related instruction;
``(iii) supporting entities, sponsors, or program
administrators in meeting the registration and reporting
requirements of this Act;
``(iv) providing professional development activities such
as training to mentors;
``(v) supporting the recruitment, retention, and completion
of potential program participants, including nontraditional
apprenticeship populations and individuals with barriers to
employment;
``(vi) developing and providing personalized program
participant supports, including by partnering with
organizations to provide access to or referrals for
supportive services and financial advising;
``(vii) providing services, resources, and supports for
development, delivery, expansion, or improvement of programs
under the national apprenticeship system; or
``(viii) serving as a program sponsor.
``(B) Partnerships.--The term `partnerships described in
subparagraph (B)' means partnerships among entities involved
in, or applying to participate in, programs under the
national apprenticeship system, including--
``(i) industry or sector partnerships;
``(ii) partnerships among employers, joint labor-management
organizations, labor organizations, community-based
organizations, industry associations, State or local
workforce development boards, education and training
providers, social service organizations, economic development
organizations, Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations, one-
stop operators, one-stop partners, or veterans service
organizations in the State workforce development system; or
``(iii) partnerships among 1 or more of the entities
described in clauses (i) and (ii).
``(b) Establishment of Apprenticeship Programs.--Not later
than 2 years after the date of enactment of this section, the
Director may establish 1 or more apprenticeship programs as
described in subsection (c).
``(c) Apprenticeship Programs Described.--An apprenticeship
program described in this subsection is an apprenticeship
program that--
``(1) leads directly to employment in--
``(A) a cybersecurity work role with the Agency; or
``(B) a position with a company or other entity provided
that the position is--
``(i) certified by the Director as contributing to the
national cybersecurity of the United States; and
``(ii) funded at least in majority part through a contract,
grant, or cooperative agreement with the Agency;
``(2) is focused on competencies and related learning
necessary, as determined by the Director, to meet the
immediate and ongoing needs of cybersecurity work roles at
the Agency; and
``(3) is registered with and approved by the Office of
Apprenticeship of the Department of Labor or a State
apprenticeship agency pursuant to the Act of August 16, 1937
(commonly known as the `National Apprenticeship Act'; 29
U.S.C. 50 et seq.).
``(d) Coordination.--In the development of an
apprenticeships program under this section, the Director
shall consult with the Secretary of Labor, the Director of
the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the
Secretary of Defense, the Director of the National Science
Foundation, and the Director
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of the Office of Personnel Management to leverage existing
resources, research, communities of practice, and frameworks
for developing cybersecurity apprenticeship programs.
``(e) Optional Use of Grants or Cooperative Agreements.--An
apprenticeship program under this section may include
entering into a contract or cooperative agreement with or
making a grant to an eligible entity if determined
appropriate by the Director based on the eligible entity--
``(1) demonstrating experience in implementing and
providing career planning and career pathways toward
apprenticeship programs;
``(2) having knowledge of cybersecurity workforce
development;
``(3) being eligible to enter into a contract or
cooperative agreement with or receive grant funds from the
Agency as described in this section;
``(4) providing students who complete the apprenticeship
program with a recognized postsecondary credential;
``(5) using related instruction that is specifically
aligned with the needs of the Agency and utilizes workplace
learning advisors and on-the-job training to the greatest
extent possible; and
``(6) demonstrating successful outcomes connecting
graduates of the apprenticeship program to careers relevant
to the program.
``(f) Applications.--If the Director enters into an
arrangement as described in subsection (e), an eligible
entity seeking a contract, cooperative agreement, or grant
under the program shall submit to the Director an application
at such time, in such manner, and containing such information
as the Director may require.
``(g) Priority.--In selecting eligible entities to receive
a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement under this
section, the Director may prioritize an eligible entity
that--
``(1) is a member of an industry or sector partnership;
``(2) provides related instruction for an apprenticeship
program through--
``(A) a local educational agency, a secondary school, a
provider of adult education, an area career and technical
education school, or an institution of higher education; or
``(B) an apprenticeship program that was registered with
the Department of Labor or a State apprenticeship agency
before the date on which the eligible entity applies for the
grant under subsection (g);
``(3) works with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs, or veterans organizations to transition
members of the Armed Forces and veterans to apprenticeship
programs in a relevant sector; or
``(4) plans to use the grant to carry out the
apprenticeship program with an entity that receives State
funding or is operated by a State agency.
``(h) Technical Assistance.--The Director shall provide
technical assistance to eligible entities to leverage the
existing job training and education programs of the Agency
and other relevant programs at appropriate Federal agencies.
``(i) Excepted Service.--Participants in the program may be
entered into cybersecurity-specific excepted service
positions as determined appropriate by the Director and
authorized by section 2208.
``(j) Report.--
``(1) In general.--Not less than once every 2 years after
the establishment of an apprenticeship program under this
section, the Director shall submit to Congress a report on
the program, including--
``(A) a description of--
``(i) any activity carried out by the Agency under this
section;
``(ii) any entity that enters into a contract or agreement
with or receives a grant from the Agency under subsection
(e);
``(iii) any activity carried out using a contract,
agreement, or grant under this section as described in
subsection (e); and
``(iv) best practices used to leverage the investment of
the Federal Government under this section; and
``(B) an assessment of the results achieved by the program,
including the rate of continued employment at the Agency for
participants after completing an apprenticeship program
carried out under this section.
``(k) Performance Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the
establishment of an apprenticeship program under this
section, and annually thereafter, the Director shall submit
to Congress and the Secretary of Labor a report on the
effectiveness of the program based on the accountability
measures described in clauses (i) and (ii) of section
116(b)(2)(A) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
(29 U.S.C. 3141(b)(2)(A)).
``(l) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to the Agency such sums as necessary to
carry out this section.''.
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of
contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002
(Public Law 107-296; 116 Stat. 2135) is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 2218, as added by section
2, the following:
``Sec. 2219. Apprenticeship program.''.
SEC. __. PILOT PROGRAM ON CYBERSECURITY TRAINING FOR VETERANS
AND MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES TRANSITIONING
TO CIVILIAN LIFE.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall establish a pilot program under which the Secretary
shall provide cybersecurity-specific training for eligible
individuals.
(b) Eligible Individuals.--For purposes of this section, an
``eligible individual'' is an individual who is--
(1) a member of the Armed Forces transitioning from service
in the Armed Forces to civilian life; or
(2) a veteran (as defined in section 101 of title 38,
United States Code).
(c) Elements.--The pilot program required by subsection (a)
shall incorporate--
(1) virtual platforms for coursework and training;
(2) work-based learning opportunities and programs; and
(3) the provision of portable credentials to eligible
individuals who graduate from the pilot program.
(d) Alignment With NICE Cybersecurity Workforce
Framework.--The pilot program required by subsection (a)
shall align with the taxonomy, knowledge, skills, abilities,
and tasks from the National Initiative for Cybersecurity
Education Cybersecurity Workforce Framework (NIST Special
Publication 800-181), or any successor framework.
(e) Coordination.--In developing the pilot program required
by subsection (a), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
coordinate with the Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology, the Secretary of Homeland Security,
the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Labor, and the
Director of the Office of Personnel Management to leverage
platforms and frameworks of the Federal Government for
providing cybersecurity education and training to prevent
duplication of efforts.
(f) Resources.--
(1) In general.--In any case in which the pilot program
required by subsection (a) uses a program of the Department
of Veterans Affairs or platforms and frameworks described in
subsection (e), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall take
such actions as may be necessary to ensure that those
programs, platforms, and frameworks are expanded and
resourced to accommodate increased usage from eligible
individuals participating in the pilot program.
(2) Actions.--Actions described in paragraph (1) may
include providing additional funding, staff, or other
resources to--
(A) provide administrative support for basic functions of
the pilot program;
(B) ensure the success and ongoing engagement of eligible
individuals participating in the pilot program; and
(C) connect graduates of the pilot program to job
opportunities within the Federal Government.
(g) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Portable credential.--
(A) In general.--The term ``portable credential'' means a
documented award by a responsible and authorized entity that
has determined that an individual has achieved specific
learning outcomes relative to a given standard.
(B) Inclusions.--The term ``portable credential'' includes
a degree, diploma, license, certificate, badge, and
professional or industry certification that--
(i) has value locally and nationally in labor markets,
educational systems, or other contexts;
(ii) is defined publicly in such a way that allows
educators, employers, and other individuals and entities to
understand and verify the full set of competencies
represented by the credential; and
(iii) enables a holder of the credential to move vertically
and horizontally within and across training and education
systems for the attainment of other credentials.
(2) Work-based learning.--The term ``work-based learning''
has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Carl D.
Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C.
2302).
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